ALAN’S GOT BIG GLOVES TO FILL
Imrie McGovern’s magic gives Martin his chance
Michael McGovern’s heroics between the sticks not only kept his country’s Euro dream alive, they saved his club from the nightmare of relegation.
That’s according to Hamilton veteran Dougie Imrie who reckons the Northern Irishman’s exit leaves the Lanarkshire club with an almighty hole to fill.
But the Accies winger insists former Scotland Under-21 keeper Alan Martin is just as capable.
McGovern helped Michael O’Neill’s side reach the last 16 of this summer’s Euro 2016 showpiece after a string of sensational saves prevented world champions Germany from building on a 1- 0 lead.
The footballing world sat up and took notice and the 32-year-old, out of contract after two seasons at New Douglas Park, looks set for a high-profile club.
Imrie returned to Accies for a second spell just days before McGovern joined from Falkirk in 2014 and credits the keeper with chalking up 15 points a season in their two years back in the top flight.
With Hamilton clear of automatic relegation by the same margin last term, McGovern’s value can’t be underestimated.
Imrie said: “Michael was amazing here and deserves whatever happens in the future.
“Whatever club he goes to, he will do just as good for them. Michael had that shop window to do well here and he has become No.1 for his country.
“He showed his class at the Euros and he’ll now earn a move that maybe he wouldn’t have got if he hadn’t come here.
“Why was his talent not recognised earlier? Well, he has been consistent for the last few years but the magnitude of the Euros and his performances have convinced managers who maybe were not sure about him before.
“Now they will take the opportunity to snap him up because he is a free agent. Michael has saved us so many times over the past few seasons.”
Martin now has a chance to stake his claim for the No.1 jersey – although he faces competition after Accies yesterday snapped up Norwich keeper Remi Matthews on a season-long loan deal.
Imrie said: “Michael leaves a mas si ve void but we have a really good keeper in Alan.
“Whoever else comes in, or if Alan replaces him, they will be big shoes to fill. Michael was easily worth 10 to 15 points a season to us. That is massive for us a club. If you take those 15 points off then you are relegated or in the play- offs.
“It is imperative whoever fills that void is as good if not better than Michael. I think Alan is just as good a goalkeeper as Michael but it was difficult for him because Michael was playing so well.
“Alan is the No.1 at the moment and it is up to him to take his opportunity.”
McGovern is one of a number of players heading out the Accies exit yet Canning has only recruited two new faces so far. Central defender Jordan McGregor joined last week following his release by Hibs while Jack Breslin has come in after being let go by Celtic.
But Imrie said: “I don’t think there is any concern because the nucleus of the squad is good enough.
“If we can pinpoint one or two to bolster the squad, we have until the end of August to bring them in.
“The continuity will help us. We are a close bunch, we get on well.
“There is no point rushing to bring players in. The gaffer is taking his time to bring in the right ones.
“I’m sure a lot of people will have us down as relegation candidates again. We know we are the smallest team in the league with the smallest budget but we do like to prove people wrong.
“The aim is to stay in the league. Tenth is an achievement for us and if we better that then we have had a great season.”
Doing so could well be a tougher task without McGovern in goal with Imrie’s team-mate Jesus Garcia Tena labelling the Northern Irishman the best shot-stopper he has played with.
The Spaniard said: “It was great for him to get the opportunity to show how much quality he has, especially in the game against Germany.
“We knew he was capable of those kinds of performances because he has been doing that for Hamilton over the past couple of seasons.
“I wish him all the best and hope he ends up going to a club at a higher level where he can continue to get even better as a goalkeeper.
“It’s his decision whether he wants to join a team where he will be the No.1. He is probably the best goalkeeper I have ever played with.”
Alan is just as good a goalkeeper as Michael .. It is up to him to take his opportunity